BRING IT ON. Department of Education Central Visayas Director Salustiano Jimenez advises parents to file formal complaints against teachers before the Child Protection Unit instead of resorting to social media. In a forum on Tuesday (Feb. 27, 2024), he said parents and teachers should put the learners’ best interest first. (PNA file photo)
CEBU CITY – Parents were advised to file formal complaints against abusive teachers before the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Education (DepEd) instead of posting on social media, an official said on Tuesday.
In a forum, DepEd-Central Visayas regional director Salustiano Jimenez said parents and teachers should always consider the best interest of the learners in whatever actions they would take when incidents like abuse or maltreatment occur.
He said DepEd Order 49 provides for the procedure for investigating reports of abuses by teachers, thus resorting to social media might hinder investigators in ferreting out the truth.
“We never tolerated abuses. We already have cases wherein teachers were sanctioned because of their actions. Corporal punishment is certainly not allowed,” Jimenez said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Jimenez’s call came after a video of a boy being maltreated by a teacher went viral on Facebook, reportedly posted by the mother.
He said teachers and parents should consider looking at the effects on the learner once the incident is made public, stressing that s formal investigation would always look after the welfare of the child.
“While we understand how passionate teachers are in their role to teach and discipline the learners, we keep on reminding them that we need also to have that control, especially in our emotions because we have a law to follow,” he added.
Jimenez said the case is now being investigated and he already received initial reports even if the parent who posted the video did not file a formal complaint. (PNA)
